Can you believe it’s been nearly 19 years since the world’s first preemptive multitasking microcomputer was first marketed by Commodore? The custom chipset on the Amiga had RAM that was permanently married to the graphics microprocessor chipset, which includes the “Agnus” as shown above. This RAM was shared by both the graphics set and the system processor, which in those days was a Motorola 68000 16-bit monster running at a whopping 7 MHz. That’s why they called it “chip RAM”. Now here in 2006, it appears Intel is following suit, with their introduction of memory onboard the system processor. Dear old Amiga had memory on the graphics processor–which was priveliged memory with accelerated bandwidth. Some old ideas are still good, 19 years later. Check it out.

Apple’s iTV has been a long time in coming. So long, in fact, that is isn’t even here yet. What is the iTV, you ask? Well, it’s Apple’s answer to Tivo, ostensibly. Engadget offers up some really great photos, like the one here. As you can see, the iTV is like a Mac Mini chopped in half, and filled with all kinds of video connections in the rear. Looks like component RGB, composite, an RJ45 Ethernet connection, and something else on the right end that I can’t quite make up. I’m guessing the big cable there is a digital HD cable, possibly HDMI (can anybody confirm this?).

Here’s the deets from Engadget’s coverage of the Apple keynote announcing the iTV:

In an unusual turn of events, Apple has pre-announced a wireless video streaming set-top box to be released in Q1 2007 with the tag line “you can take content to your computer or iPod, but now… TV.” Going by the codeword of iTV, the box looks like a flattened Mac mini — apparently it’s around half the height — and features a built-in power supply, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11 “wireless component video”, optical audio and HDMI ports, plus regular ol’ RCA stereo audio ports. Controllable by the standard Apple remote, the iTV will come with an updated version of the Front Row interface that shares Front Row’s smooth 3D graphics, but differs in that it has a menu on the right side of the screen. Apparently it’ll work with both iTunes on both PCs and Macs, and will sell for $299.

But does it record?

From Wired’s Autopia blog:

As much as I’m all for cleaning up global warming (and drive a hybrid), spending millions on legal fees for a lawsuit that has zero chance of being successful is a big waste of resources. If Mr. Lockyer has issues with the amount of emissions, take it up with the California Air Resources Board that sets the regulations not the companies that comply with them. This is no tobacco-type lawsuit of deception. Plus, even though there is consensus on global warming, quantifying the damage done just from autos won’t wash in court.

And, I would add, it is also impossible to quantify the overall damage, if indeed any has been done.

Califonia is suing automakers over “global warming”. Read it and weep.

A few weeks back my wife and I went to Johnny Rocker’s for green beer and St. Patricks’ Day merriment. Low and behold, between the deejay’s selections (please forgive me for not attending a live music venue), some members of the local police department had formed a bagpipe trio and were marching around Rocker’s playing old folk numbers. Two pipers and a snare drum player, marching through the bar to everybody’s delight.

Well, becoming a bagpiper just became a lot more geeky and a lot less green-dye-in-your beer cool. That’s because Master Gaita has just introduced a bagpipe MIDI controller! This USB-compatible controller has the same fingering positions and note duration control technique as a standard bagpipes, although the fluffy checkered bag is conspicuously missing. I guess, with all that technology, who needs a bag anyway? Check out the deets from Master Gaita:

The instrument is strongly made on a PVC tube with nine extremely sensitive tactile devices, so only the smooth contact of a finger resting on any of them is needed to activate them. A semi-rigid cable and a little plastic box make the chanter to get firm in a fixed and confortable position as if it were in its stock. A 2.5 meter long cable leaving the plastic box carries the MIDI singnals to the computer or sound module the Master Gaita is connected to.

Get one of these bad boys, and all you need is a subscription to eJamming in order to form your own Internet-based bagpipe band! Green beer not included.